Meet the US’s drug running friends: A history of narcotics involvement

In December 2025, the US, under President Trump, escalated actions against alleged Venezuelan drug trafficking, including military strikes on boats. This occurred despite a lack of evidence linking Venezuela to major drug routes. Simultaneously, Trump pardoned former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez, convicted in the US for drug and weapons trafficking. Hernandez was released from his 45-year sentence despite being found guilty of conspiring to import cocaine to the US and of possessing machineguns, in 2024. While the US claims to combat drug trafficking in Venezuela, data indicates that most US-bound cocaine originates in Colombia, Peru, and Ecuador. This action raises questions about the true motives behind the US's focus on Venezuela, especially given the US's history of leveraging narcotics smuggling to support its foreign policy goals.

Explore how the topics in this article connect to other news stories